Nothing Phone (3a) Pro: A Detailed Review
For a company that’s never made a flagship phone, Nothing certainly gets a lot of attention. The British firm, founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has aggressively targeted the mid-range segment since it began releasing phones in 2022. And with all its handsets boasting eye-catching designs, customisable ‘Glyph’ lights, and retro-inspired software, they instantly stand out from the competition.
In 2025, Nothing has taken the unusual step of launching its Phone (3a) Series before the regular Phone (3). There are two models again this year, though the standard (3a) is now joined by a ‘Pro’ instead of a ‘Plus’.
Despite its name, the latter still costs just £449/$459. Is it the best phone at this price point, and are there enough reasons to buy it over the £329/$379 regular Phone (3a)? I spent two weeks with the Phone (3a) Pro to find out.
Design & Build
In my hands-on with the Phone (3a) Pro, I described it as “the most unusual phone I’ve ever tried”, and I stand by that. The semi-transparent back and signature ‘Glyph’ lights we’ve come to associate with Nothing phones both remain. However, there are a couple of key hardware changes that make the (3a) Pro feel like a very different phone.
The one you’ve probably already noticed is the rear camera module, a huge disc that takes up nearly the entire top half of the phone. It’s a big departure from the Phone (2a) and (3a)’s cameras, which are much more discreet.
Now, I don’t have a problem with the way it looks, even though I prefer the design of other Nothing phones. But the extra bulk it adds to the device soon gets annoying. The camera bump sticks out significantly from the back of the phone, making it wobble when trying to use face-up on a table. It’s a shame because the glass back is grippy enough to make going case-free a realistic option.
The Phone (3a) Pro is significantly heavier than both the regular Phone (3a) and 190g Phone (2a). If you’re coming from any sub-200g phone, this is a difference you’ll notice. The addition of a physical button to the plastic sides of the phone, called the ‘Essential Key’, is a shortcut that allows you to quickly capture voice notes, photos, and screenshots.
Screen & Speakers
Phone displays have gotten so good recently that you can get a flagship-quality screen on a mid-range handset. And that’s undoubtedly true for the Phone (3a) Pro. It boasts a 6.77-inch, Full HD+ (1080 x 2392) flat AMOLED panel that’s up there with the very best. It offers the rich, vibrant colors and deep blacks we’ve come to associate with OLEDs, making it ideal for video content and social media.
The 120Hz refresh rate delivers fast transitions and silky-smooth visuals that make the phone more enjoyable to navigate. The under-display fingerprint sensor is optical and unlocks more consistently and quickly than any phone I’ve tried recently.
On paper, the Phone (3a) Pro offers an unremarkable pair of speakers. But the audio is surprisingly punchy, offering a depth we don’t often see on phones. It won’t replace dedicated speakers or headphones, but it’s plenty good enough for casual use.
Specs & Performance
The Phone (3a) Pro uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, a clear step down from Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite. Despite not being a powerful chip, performance is actually one of the Phone (3a) Pro’s main strengths. Alongside 12GB of RAM, the phone is fluid and highly responsive, excelling across all everyday tasks. It’s also very adept at multitasking, allowing quick switching between apps without missing a beat.
Gaming is where its limitations begin to show, with some noticeable dropped frames while playing demanding AAA titles. But for everyday use, the Phone (3a) Pro has all the performance you could ever need. The same can be said for internal storage, with 256GB being plenty for most people.
Cameras
The main weakness of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is the cameras. In good lighting conditions, the main 50Mp lens is solid, capturing an excellent level of detail and great dynamic range. The 50Mp periscope telephoto lens offers impressive clarity and crispness, especially in macro photography. The 50Mp selfie camera is also great, with accurate skin tones and the ability to switch between different zoom modes.
However, the Phone (3a) Pro struggles in low-light environments and harsh lighting conditions. The ultrawide camera is disappointing, with a significant drop-off in quality. Video recording is limited to 4K at 30fps and suffers in low light. Overall, the cameras are decent but have enough flaws to make you look elsewhere if top-quality photos and videos are important to you.
Battery Life & Charging
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has a 5000mAh battery that comfortably lasts a full day on a single charge. Wired charging up to 50W is supported, reaching 47% in half an hour. There’s no wireless charging, but at this price point, it’s not a big surprise.
Software & Features
Nothing’s software experience is one of the big reasons to buy its phones. The NothingOS 3.1 skin has a unique look and feel, with endless customization options. The notification tray and quick settings are combined into one view, making it easy to use. The ‘Glyph Interface’ of lights on the back adds a visual element to notifications and music.
The ‘Essential Space’ app acts as a hub for voice notes, photos, and screenshots, but it can feel cluttered and lacks advanced AI. Nothing commits to six years of updates, ensuring the phone will be supported until 2031.
Price & Availability
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is available for pre-order at £449/$459 and will be released on 25 March. It competes directly with some of the best mid-range phones, including the Samsung Galaxy A56 and OnePlus Nord 4. The regular Phone (3a) at £329/$379 offers similar features at a lower price, making it a better value buy for most people.
Should you buy the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?
As good as the Phone (3a) Pro is, it’s probably not worth the extra cost over the regular Phone (3a). The minor camera improvements are not significant enough to justify the price difference. If photography is important to you, other options like the upcoming Google Pixel 9a may be a better choice. Overall, the Phone (3a) Pro is one of the best phones that’s hard to recommend due to its awkward middle ground positioning.
Specs
– NothingOS 3.1 powered by Android 15
– 6.77-inch, 1080 x 2392, OLED, 120Hz
– In-display fingerprint sensor
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
– 12GB RAM
– 256GB storage
– 50Mp main
– 8Mp ultrawide
– 50Mp 3x periscope telephoto
– 50Mp selfie camera
– Up to 4K @ 30fps rear video
– Stereo speakers
– Dual-SIM
– Wi-Fi 6, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
– Bluetooth 5.4
– 5000mAh battery
– 50W wired charging
– 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm
– IP64 certified
– 211g
– Colors: Black, Grey
In conclusion, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers strong performance, great battery life, and a gorgeous display. However, the disappointing low-light camera performance and bulky rear camera module may be deterrents for some users. Ultimately, the decision to buy the Phone (3a) Pro over the regular Phone (3a) will depend on your priorities and budget.
